What is the most peculiar discovery you’ve ever made in a hotel room? Hotel housekeepers often encounter a plethora of bizarre items left behind by guests. Still, nothing can surpass the astonishing find that one maid in Utah stumbled upon concealed beneath the bedcovers. As the wrinkled sheets slipped through her fingers, the sight before her was so astonishing that it rendered her speechless. Overwhelmed by the moment, all she could do was shed tears…
A tough life
Indeed, this particular maid, whom we shall refer to as “Alice,” had endured a series of arduous experiences. Struggling with a meager sum in her possession, Alice had been tirelessly toiling in a string of low-wage occupations merely to sustain her basic needs.
An Opportunity
When Alice caught sight of a prominent “Help Wanted” sign displayed in the window of a renowned hotel in Park City, she eagerly seized the opportunity to improve her circumstances. Unfortunately, securing the position was far from certain. With fierce competition from numerous qualified applicants, Alice knew she had to give her utmost during the interview process to stand a chance at securing the coveted position.
Not the best fit
Considering Alice’s absence of a work history and limited background in the hospitality industry, the hotel manager harbored doubts about hiring her. However, similar to Alice, the manager found themselves in a situation where they couldn’t afford to be overly discerning. Acknowledging the growth potential and the manager’s pressing need to fill the position, they decided to give Alice a chance, hoping her determination would compensate for her lack of experience.
No easy job
The hotel in question had a reputation for attracting boisterous and disorderly guests, resulting in rooms that resembled a tornado aftermath after every checkout. The situation had deteriorated to such an extent that the previous housekeeper had chosen to resign. The hotel management was desperately seeking a solution to maintain cleanliness and order amidst the chaotic aftermath left by the departing guests.
Taking a chance
Despite the hotel’s less-than-ideal reputation for a conducive work environment, Alice remained resolute in her belief that she could tackle any challenges presented by the guests. Although skeptical, the manager decided to give her a chance, convinced her tenure would be short-lived. However, to everyone’s surprise, they couldn’t have been more mistaken.
A regular pro
Within a few weeks, Alice effortlessly handled the disheveled rooms and devised a completely revamped organization system for the hotel. Furthermore, she accomplished the seemingly impossible task of washing an enormous backlog of dirty laundry that had accumulated over several months.
Worth more than just praise
Alice’s remarkable competence in housekeeping exceeded the initial expectations of the hotel manager, and as the business thrived under her care, a deep sense of gratitude welled up within. Despite the manager’s inability to provide a tangible gesture of appreciation due to limited resources, fate intervened when Kyle Oreffice and Josh Gibson entered the picture.
Do-good duo
Renowned for their influential YouTube channel GiveBackFilms, Kyle and Josh had garnered widespread recognition for their acts of kindness towards individuals they had never met before. Their compassionate endeavors spanned various individuals, from those earning meager wages to families facing hardships and even the homeless community. With their generosity already profoundly impacting countless lives, the duo was now poised to extend their benevolence to another person in need.
A new mission
Upon learning about Alice’s remarkable journey, Kyle and Josh immediately recognized her as a deserving recipient of their goodwill. They contacted the hotel manager with unwavering certainty and shared their intention to assist Alice. Filled with excitement, the manager eagerly embraced the opportunity to participate, and thus, their carefully devised plan was set into motion, ready to unfold in 2013.
Hide-and-don’t-seek
As Kyle and Josh arrived at the hotel, they swiftly located the first available room and wasted no time in commencing their preparations. Meticulously, they strategically positioned multiple concealed cameras at various angles within the room, ensuring that not a single moment of Alice’s reaction would go unnoticed or unrecorded.
Constructive chaos
Subsequently, they made a deliberate choice to slightly disarrange the room, rearranging the furniture and purposefully disheveling the beds by removing the sheets and tossing the pillows. Knowing that untidiness was the norm in such surroundings, anything less than a disorderly room would have appeared out of place to Alice.
Pièce de résistance
Finally, Josh swiftly jotted down a message on a piece of paper and carefully tucked it alongside a delightful surprise that Kyle had discreetly placed beneath a sheet. With everything precisely arranged (or disarranged), the duo removed the “Do Not Disturb” sign from the door, their excitement mounting, and hurriedly exited the room.
The waiting game
Huddled behind their van seats, Kyle and Josh anxiously peered through the rear window, eagerly anticipating the decisive moment when Alice would step into the room. Time seemed to stand still as they held their breath, their eyes fixed on the door, until finally, with a turn of the handle, the door swung open.
None the wiser
For several minutes, Alice meticulously focused on restoring order to the room, diligently repositioning the furniture and adorning the space with fresh linens and towels. Finally, after completing her initial tasks, she directed her attention towards the beds, ready to attend to them as well.
A shocking surprise
Efficiently, Alice swiftly attended to the first bed, smoothly removing the sheets. However, as she proceeded to lift the sheets off the second bed, an astonishing sight halted her in her tracks. Overwhelmed and unable to find words, Alice’s hand instinctively rose to cover her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The discovery before her was beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
Payday!
Concealed beneath the sheets, an extraordinary sight awaited Alice—a row of neatly arranged $20 bills accompanied by a heartfelt note that exclaimed, “This is a tip! Enjoy!” Astonishingly, instead of the customary few dollars guests would occasionally leave behind, Alice discovered an astonishing $500 tip—a gesture that left her utterly astounded.
A revelation
Before Alice could fully grasp the situation unfolding before her, Kyle and Josh emerged, disclosing the comprehensive plan they had orchestrated. Overwhelmed with gratitude for their remarkable act of kindness, Alice’s heart was filled with profound appreciation. However, in that moment, she chose to make a startling confession, revealing a surprising truth.
Don’t be bashful
Despite her considerable financial need, Alice expressed her inability to accept the generous sum of money. Her admission left Kyle and Josh dumbfounded, yet through gentle persuasion and probing, it became evident that the modest housekeeper’s refusal stemmed from her inherent humility.
Mission accomplished
Ultimately, after thoughtful consideration, Alice made the heartfelt choice to accept the generous tip, and the emotional video capturing her tearful reaction went on to accumulate over 8 million views on GiveBackFilm’s YouTube channel. “Witnessing genuine happiness is an incredibly rewarding experience,” expressed Josh, highlighting the captivating nature of such moments. Furthermore, the incident shed light on the demanding realities faced by hotel maids, an aspect largely unknown to the general public.
Robbery Is common
As Alice opened up about the realities of a typical shift, Josh was astounded by what he heard. It was a revelation that resonated with other hospitality workers who corroborated the experiences on social media. The truth was stark: hotel guests had a penchant for pilfering anything not securely fastened, even going so far as to smuggle out items like televisions from the bedrooms. However, it didn’t stop at theft; hotel guests engaged in a wide range of astonishing behavior during their stays.
Terrible mess
At times, the experience of cleaning hotel rooms can be psychologically traumatizing. One housekeeper shared their most distressing encounter, recounting an instance where they entered a room to find explicit pages torn out of a pornographic magazine meticulously taped all over the walls. The scene was further compounded by bloodstained sheets and unsettling messages inscribed on the bathroom mirror in lipstick. If the next guest in the room had known, they’d also be horrified.
Crime…pays?
Surprisingly, hotels often appear indifferent to criminal activities despite the expectation that they would distance themselves from such affairs. A former employee nonchalantly shared, “The manager was fully aware of the illicit incidents unfolding… He would casually mention things like, ‘Oh, that’s room 324. They’re into ID and Social Security number theft,’ or ‘That’s room 409. They’ve got an underground Xbox selling operation going on,’ addressing the matters as if they were of no significance.”
Undercover trade
Startled by a recent revelation, one owner shared, “We just discovered that our own employees have been operating a drug ring right under our noses… The individual on duty offers rooms at a rate of $30 per hour for drug-related activities, discreetly pocketing the proceeds. Meanwhile, the housekeeper is responsible for tidying up the rooms once they are vacated, but her negligence in doing so ultimately exposed their illicit operations.”
Paying top dollar
It is prudent to carefully review your hotel bill for any potential errors when it is presented to you. Certain establishments adhere to a policy where they do not proactively inform guests of incorrect charges, and, unfortunately, these charges are not automatically rectified. An employee admitted, “Mistakes can easily occur, but we are instructed not to remove them unless the guest calls and brings it to our attention.”
The key to safe health
Perhaps you’re the type of person who enters hotels well-prepared, diligently disinfecting everything from doorknobs to furniture using Lysol. However, it’s probable that you’re overlooking the true culprit of germs: the room key! An employee revealed, “I’ve received room keys returned in the most unpleasant conditions: smeared with snot, caked with mud, contaminated with unidentified bodily fluids, and so on… It’s advisable to thoroughly wipe them down immediately upon receiving them.”
Forgotten item
Another item in the hotel room that can be a breeding ground for germs is the TV remote, often just as extensively used and unclean as the room key. “It’s advisable to sanitize the remote control whenever you intend to change a channel,” advises another hotel employee. This cautionary advice might prove beneficial in safeguarding you not only from the typical “cooties” but also from the accumulation of dirt and bacteria, considering remotes are rarely subjected to cleaning procedures.
Don’t forget the nightstand
Unfortunately, drawers and nightstands are commonly overlooked during the cleaning process, leading to instances where misplaced items end up being discovered by subsequent guests. One such discovery left the receptionist in utter shock: “An elderly gentleman approached the front desk… and stated, ‘This was left behind by the previous guest, right next to the Holy Bible,’ as he placed a loaded gun on the counter.” ” Not a good start to a family vacation.
Be kind
Customer service is a reciprocal interaction: if you desire someone to treat you kindly, it is essential to extend the same courtesy to them, especially when they possess the ability to provide perks or upgrades that you may seek. A nameless employee shared their perspective on unpleasant customers, stating, “If you come across as rude or unpleasant during phone conversations, the room you inquired about will magically become unavailable.”
Word travels fast
If you exhibit behavior that makes you an unbearable guest, the consequences may extend beyond being banned from a single hotel. In fact, neighboring hotels can also be informed of your actions. As one employee explained, “The hotel I work for maintains a ‘beware this guest’ list, and we have strong relationships with other hospitality establishments in the area. Essentially, if you cause significant damage to a room or behave outrageously rude, every hotel within a 30-mile radius will be made aware of your actions.”
Accidents happen
While it may seem pleasant to be relieved of cleaning duties while on vacation, hotel staff often have a different perspective. For instance, a guest once left a note apologizing for an “accident.” However, the so-called “accident” turned out to be an extensive mess of diarrhea, spanning across the bed, floor, and bathroom. Housekeepers who had to deal with such incidents deserve recognition and appreciation, as they handle challenging situations like this and deserve commendation for their efforts.
Cover up
If an accident does occur, it is advisable not to attempt to conceal it. Unfortunately, one guest did just that, leading the hotel staff on a search for the source of a terrible odor. The room emitted such a repugnant stench that it had to be temporarily marked as out of order. After an extensive two-week investigation, the staff eventually discovered an old pile of vomit concealed between a chest of drawers and the bed frame.
Forever mattress
One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with these types of messes is how hotel staff are instructed to address them—or rather, not address them. According to an insider, “If someone vomits, urinates, or defecates in a bed at our hotel, we don’t replace the mattress. The housekeepers spot-clean the affected area, and then one of the maintenance staff flips the mattress.” Such practices can be disconcerting, leaving us to contemplate alternative sleeping arrangements for future hotel stays.
Unique technique
While cleaning practices can vary, one revelation is so repugnant that it might be deemed unacceptable. An anonymous staff member disclosed, “I once knew a housekeeper who shockingly used the same cleaning cloth to sanitize both the toilets and other areas in the rooms!” It might be wise to consider packing a hazmat suit alongside your usual travel essentials, including sunscreen.
Multifunctional
Certain cleaners harbor such animosity towards guests that they resort to neglecting their duties. An individual disclosed, “Some cleaners, driven by disdain, wash the in-room mugs in the bathroom sink and dry them with previously used pillowcases.” Such revelations provide ample reason for us to exercise caution when selecting accommodations, making us contemplate the idea of staying home instead.
Laundry room fun
If you suspect that the cleanliness of the hotel’s laundry room might be lacking, you would be correct, and the reason is rather unexpected. An employee unveiled a scandalous secret about their laundry room, stating, “The very same laundry room where bedsheets are folded conveniently doubles as a rendezvous spot for illicit encounters with guests.” Clearly, these are not the kind of folding maneuvers one would anticipate.
Finding comfort
While the sheets may undergo laundering, they might require an additional cycle after certain encounters take place. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the comforters, which bear witness to far more than just lively dance moves. A housekeeper revealed, “Those comforters can go months without being washed and are utilized by hundreds of individuals, many of whom bypass using the sheets altogether.” The unhygienic reality is undeniably repulsive.
Can’t handle the fire
If you believed the state of the laundry room was disheartening, brace yourself for the condition of the hotel kitchen. A firsthand unveils the truth: “The kitchen in the hotel where I was employed was utterly revolting. The meat fridge emitted a putrid odor reminiscent of decay, and the grill was perpetually left uncleaned under the assumption that it added flavor to the steaks. Considering this revelation, it may be wise to reconsider opting for room service.
Freshly bad for you
Even the quality of the food served falls short of expectations. A server shared a disheartening account about a renowned five-star restaurant within a highly sought-after and celebrity-infused hotel. “I was employed in this prestigious establishment, and to my surprise, all the vegetables we served were sourced from cans,” they confessed. Frankly, considering the steep prices, opting for the overpriced minibar might prove to be a more favorable choice.
No time for grief
In the unfortunate event of a guest passing away in their suite, the handling of the situation can be rather unsettling. A worker from a London hotel revealed that they became aware of such an incident solely due to the odor, and shockingly, the room remained available for occupancy. “Housekeeping discovered the guest’s body, it was promptly removed, the bedding was changed, and another guest was checked into the room later that very afternoon,” they disclosed.
Don’t look
Another insider shared a universally applicable suggestion: “It’s best to avoid inspecting a hotel room with a black light. Just don’t do it.” This cautionary advice stems from the fact that certain bodily fluids have a tendency to emit a glow under ultraviolet light. Revealing the extent of overlooked areas by housekeeping, such an examination would undoubtedly disrupt your peace of mind and make it challenging to sleep soundly.
